Input device backlighting

Abstract

Input device backlighting techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a light guide configured to transmit light, a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs, a connection portion configured to form a communicative coupling to a computing device to communicate the one or more inputs received by the sensor assembly to the computing device, and an outer layer. The outer layer has a plurality of indications of inputs formed using openings in the outer layer such that light from the light guide is configured to pass through the openings to function as a backlight. The outer layer also has a plurality of sub-layers arranged to have increasing levels of resistance to transmission of the light from the light guide, one to another.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An input device comprising:
 a light guide configured to transmit light; and 
 an outer layer disposed proximal to the light guide, the outer layer having a plurality of indications of inputs formed using openings in the outer layer such that light from the light guide is configured to pass through the openings to function as a backlight, the outer layer having a plurality of sub-layers arranged to have increasing levels of resistance to transmission of the light from the light guide, one to another. 
 
     
     
       2. The input device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sub-layers are arranged in an order of increasingly lighter shades as positioned away from the light guide. 
     
     
       3. The input device as described in  claim 1 , wherein:
 an external said sub-layer forms an external surface of the input device; 
 the external said sub-layer has a color; and 
 at least one of the sub-layers positioned between the external said sub-layer and the light guide has a darker shade of the color. 
 
     
     
       4. The input device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the openings are formed in the outer layer using a laser. 
     
     
       5. The input device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the light guide is formed with a printed embossing across a surface of the light guide, the printed embossing configured to allow the light to be brought out specific portions of a surface of the light guide such that the specific portions are configured to output light and other portions that do not include the printed embossing are not so configured. 
     
     
       6. The input device as described in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs; 
 a connection portion configured to form a communicative coupling to a computing device to communicate the one or more inputs received by the sensor assembly to the computing device; and 
 a smoothing layer disposed between the light guide and the outer layer. 
 
     
     
       7. The input device as described in  claim 6 , wherein the outer layer is secured to the smoothing layer using an adhesive and also secured to the light guide using an adhesive. 
     
     
       8. The input device as described in  claim 7 , wherein a surface area of the smoothing layer used to secure the outer layer using the adhesive is greater than a surface area of the smoothing layer that is used to secure the smoothing layer to the light guide. 
     
     
       9. The input device as described in  claim 6 , wherein the smoothing layer includes one or more portions that are masked to restrict light transmission through the one or more portions. 
     
     
       10. The input device as described in  claim 9 , wherein at least one said portion is disposed proximal to a light source of the light guide. 
     
     
       11. The input device as described in  claim 9 , wherein the one or more portions of the smoothing layer are masked by printing an ink on the smoothing layer. 
     
     
       12. The input device as described in  claim 6 , wherein the smoothing layer includes a protrusion configured to cause the light guide to align with a light source. 
     
     
       13. An input device comprising:
 a light guide configured to transmit light; 
 an outer layer formed as a fabric that has one or more indications of inputs that are configured to be illuminated by the light guide; and 
 a smoothing layer disposed between the light guide and the outer layer, the smoothing layer secured to the outer layer thereby reducing flexibility of the fabric, the smoothing layer including a protrusion configured to cause the light guide to align with a light source. 
 
     
     
       14. The input device as described in  claim 13 , wherein:
 the outer layer is secured to the smoothing layer using an adhesive and also secured to the light guide using an adhesive; and 
 a surface area of the smoothing layer used to secure the outer layer using the adhesive is greater than a surface area of the smoothing layer that is used by the adhesive to secure the smoothing layer to the light guide. 
 
     
     
       15. The input device as described in  claim 13 , wherein the smoothing layer includes one or more portions that are masked to restrict light transmission through the one or more portions. 
     
     
       16. The input device as described in  claim 15 , wherein at least one said portion is disposed proximal to a light source of the light guide. 
     
     
       17. The input device as described in  claim 13 , further comprising a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as a corresponding one or more inputs, and wherein the outer layer is positioned such that the light guide is disposed between the sensor assembly and the outer layer. 
     
     
       18. The input device comprising:
 a light source; 
 a light guide configured to transmit light emitted by the light source; 
 an outer layer having one or more indications of inputs that are configured to be illuminated by the transmitted light of the light guide; and 
 a smoothing layer disposed between the light guide and the outer layer, the smoothing layer including a protrusion configured to cause the light guide to align with the light source to transmit the light emitted by the light source. 
 
     
     
       19. The input device as described in  claim 18 , wherein the protrusion causes a tab formed in the light guide to bend toward the light source thereby aligning light emitted by the light source with an edge of the light guide. 
     
     
       20. The input device as described in  claim 18 , further comprising a sensor assembly having a plurality of sensors that are configured to detect proximity of an object as corresponding one or more inputs, and wherein the sensor assembly includes one or more pressure sensitive sensors.